Who knows what this pilgrim at the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in mid-June was praying for? Health, perhaps. Better weather, possibly. An Italian victory in Euro 2012? Tonight, in Kiev, Italy play Spain in the final of the championship and for the Italian coach, Cesare Prandelli, the tournament has been a triumph of faith. While guiding the Azzurri through the qualifying rounds, he has taken time attend to the spiritual side of life. After Italy’s 2-0 win over Ireland, he walked the 11km from the team’s headquarters to the Camaldolese Hermit Monastery in Kraków to give thanks — in the middle of the night. And he did the same after defeating England in the quarter final. Another pilgrimage is promised for tonight, God willing.

“Non si può seguire Gesù da soli” (One cannot follow Jesus alone) said Pope Benedict XVI and this is what the Camaldolese believe. The monks and nuns are part of the Benedictine family of monastic communities which follow the way of life outlined in the Rule of St. Benedict, written in the 6th century. Their name is derived from the Holy Hermitage (Sacro Eremo) of Camaldoli, high in the mountains of Tuscany, near the city of Arezzo.